JKRowling owns Harry Potter and all the characters in that story.

FASA owns Earthdawn

The chapter was getting a bit long at 12k words and growing, so I decided to cut it in half. Ginny will appear in the next chapter along with a ghost from the past.

§ - Parseltongue will start and end with § and be in italics. §"Example of Parseltongue"§

—CS—

Special thanks to my Beta Reader, the 'MoleOfWar' for the excellent feedback and diligent work in making the story better.

Hogsmeade

10AM Friday Morning

October 5, 2001

The next morning, Harry dropped Teddy off with Dr. Gaines and used her 'Floo' to travel to Hogsmeade. He arrived at the Hogsmeade station and walked down Main Street to High Street. He then walked to the end of High Street in Hogsmeade to the intersection of Austere Avenue, where he had purchased most of the property around the Hog's Head Inn.

At the entrance of the less travelled Austere Avenue he looked out at the two residential properties he had just made above market value offers to. One had accepted and the other declined. Ironically, being on Austere Avenue was decreasing the market value of both properties. Within a year, once renovations start, being on Austere Ave would result in an increase to their value.

The newly purchased home was fully detached and appeared to be in moderately good condition. It was a two-story Tudor design topped with a steep thatched roof. It sat on a moderately sized lot. The property could use a few simple repairs and a bit of landscaping. It had a nice space for a garden. There was a picket fence behind the house with stacked stone corner columns. The design would be easy to ward, especially this close to a ley line. As Harry looked it over, he realised it was a family home. It reminded Harry of his home in Godric's Hollow.

Like the house in front of him, the house in Godric's Hollow was Tudor with a thatched roof. The home had been restored and he'd stayed there a few times… but never long. He just couldn't bring himself to move in there. There were far too many emotions tied up in that cozy little cottage. This house was similar enough that he didn't want to move in. Maybe he'd let Bill and Fleur stay in this home. Fleur would like it and it wasn't too far from school. Of course, with the 'Floo' network, you could argue that nowhere is very far from school.

Across the street was the residential home that refused to sell. It was a fully detached two-story 'Stewart' style home made from brick with a tile roof. Like many of the homes further into Austere Avenue, it was in need of some serious repair work. The foundation looked fine to Harry's eye, but the mortar appeared to be crumbling and the roof had a 'thinness' to it, suggesting transfiguration repairs had been done a few times too many. The yard wasn't very nice either. With a moderate investment, it could be a nice home, but unlike the other location, it had gone beyond simple repairs.

As Harry stood in front of the house, an elderly man came out and approached him. "I don't know what you're selling for, but I don't need any." The man had a thick grey beard and wore basic robes. He had a slight limp and walked with a cane.

The man peered at him through thick glasses. "Harry Potter? Is that you?"

Harry didn't recall the man. "Yes, sir. I'm Harry Potter." Had they met?

"Wilford Vance." The man said, "I fought in the Battle of Hogwarts. That's how I got this limp." He tapped his leg with his cane. "Well, that and old age."

Harry held out his hand and the older wizard shook it. "Thank you for helping. If you need care for the leg, I'll be glad to help out."

"They all say you're a generous lad." He seemed to stare unfocused a moment. "But I'm as good as I'll ever be."

"Well, if you change your mind, I'll be here for you."

The old wizard didn't seem to hear him. "I still remember the way you dealt with those Giants." He seemed to shudder a moment, then added, "And the Dementors."

Harry gave a half smile, "Yes, sir. It had to be done." He still remembered that battle like it was yesterday. "No regrets."

Wilford snorted. "I should hope not! That madman took my whole family from me. He and that Grindelwald fellow."

"I'm sorry to hear that." Harry looked up at the house again. "Are you sure there's not something I can do?"

The man peered closely at Harry. His brows furrowed as he tilted his head. "You wouldn't have anything to do with all the property that's been sold recently?"

"Yes, sir. I'm planning to renovate and move up here."

"I wondered who was behind it all. Figured it was some shady bastard." He rubbed his beard, pulling it down and straightening it. "It's nothing personal and the offer was more than fair… But this is where I've lived my whole life. Raised a family here. In better times."

"I understand, sir." Poor guy has had rotten luck.

"I tell you what, you took out that maniac. I'll leave you my house when I die." His shoulders seemed to slump as he said, "It's not like I have anyone else to leave it to."

"That's very generous of you." This poor guy needed the money now. "Say, what if I bought your property now and let you live rent free… as long as you live?" And cover the repair costs.

"That hardly seems fair." He considered it a moment. "I should warn you, I plan to live a very long time."

Harry shrugged. "Then you can look after the place for me. Yours until you die and I'll pay double market value."

The older man winced. "That seems too much like charity. How about market value and a little help with upkeep?"

"Mr. Vance, I think we have a deal." He shook the old wizard's hand again. "I'll send the paperwork over. I'm looking forward to being neighbours."

Wilford Vance seemed to brighten at the idea. "Well, you need to know what you're getting. Come on in for tea and a tour. I won't lie to you, there are a few repairs that I've been putting off."

"Lead the way." Harry followed the man inside his house.

—CS—

Thirty-five minutes later, Harry was walking down High Street and approached the location of Penelope McKinnon's old bookstore. It was a traditional brown stone with a high peaked roof, adjoined to the smaller Ollivander's Hogsmeade branch. Gringotts had already keyed him into the rather powerful wards, so he was able to enter without difficulty. He cast a Lumos charm as he looked about.

It was a moderate sized location. It had numerous empty bookshelves on every wall. At different locations, there appeared to be a few high-backed chairs around coffee tables, currently covered by sheets. The back third of the building was a storeroom containing a small restroom and a surprisingly well-designed vault. It was heavily warded and the walls were very thick. In the corner of the storeroom was a narrow staircase leading to the next level.

The staircase opened up to an open floor that must have once been used for storage. It had a pair of shuttered windows in the front and another pair in the back. It was ideal for storage or anything else one might use a large open space for. A pair of columns ran up the middle of the room.

The stairs continued up from the storage level to a door which opened up to an apartment. The main room was a good size room. It attached to an open kitchen with an island and had windows to the front and side of the building. The side that connected to Ollivander's didn't have a window, but the ones in front looked out over High Street and on the side, it had a view of Hogsmeade rooftops and Hogwarts in the distance.

There were two doors on the wall behind the kitchen, leading to a full bath and a bedroom. The bedroom and the bathroom were also connected to each other with a sliding door. The bedroom was average sized and could comfortably house a queen bed and a wardrobe. It had two windows looking out toward a wooded area behind High Street and one short but wide window set high on the exterior side wall framing a distant Hogwarts. It was positioned high enough to be over the headboard of where a bed would go.

The plumbing in the bathroom and kitchen looked unused and the kitchen appliances were dusty and in need of polishing, but in otherwise very good condition. The stove had no carbon scoring or signs of prior use you would expect to see. It looked like no one had ever lived here. Likely, it came with the property and Madam McKinnon just never leased it out.

Thinking a moment, Harry said, "Frankie!" A moment later a small pop was heard. Frankie looked up with eager eyes.

"Master calls Frankie?" His ears slowly rose up in anticipation.

"Hello, Frankie. While the Hog's Head Inn is under construction, can you help me restore this property?" It reminded him of his house in Yvoiré with its simplicity. "I kind of like it. I'm not sure the appliances are hooked up, but the overall structure appears to be very sound."

The tiny elf looked about, a goofy smile on his face. "Just the top floor, or the others too?"

"Start at the top and work your way down." Harry looked back at the kitchen. "Don't worry if the appliances aren't working, we can get them turned back on. The water too." Did wizarding homes hook up to anything, or was it all just charms and enchantments?

As Harry looked about, he realised how much potential was here. Simple living and the storage area could be converted to a gymnasium. The ground floor could be turned into an office for his business endeavours… The vault and the ward structure could be enhanced to meet his needs.

The elf rubbed his hands together and had an excited gleam in his eye. Time to let him get to work. Harry descended the stairs as Frankie started cleaning and polishing. The poor elf had been rather bored and restless with all the work at the Hog's Head Inn. This would distract him until the little fellow could refocus on the Inn. As he left, he reset the wards. He added an extra ward to alert him if the first was disturbed. Very nice.

Penelope McKinnon's house on Tearmann Way. It was a boulevard off the end of High Street, opposite of Austere Avenue. Harry took a cleansing breath and walked toward the final property he'd come to see. The air was crisp and the streets were well maintained. The further he walked, the nicer the street looked. It was subtle, but noticeable if you looked. Nicer sidewalks, tighter cobblestones on the street, decorative gas lights, and the buildings were in somewhat better condition. Eventually, he reached the end of High Street and turned down Tearmann Way.

The name 'Tearmann' was Gaelic for 'Sanctuary'. It fit as Hogsmeade had been settled by a wizard fleeing Muggle persecution. This street was clearly in the older and nicer area of Hogsmeade. The homes on Tearmann Way seemed to proclaim their affluence, without being ostentatious. All the homes were similar in appearance, but different enough not to seem like they were all built together. Certainly nothing like the houses on Privet Drive.

Penelope McKinnon's home was fully detached, having a small yard and relatively close neighbouring homes. It was a symmetrical design with a natural grey stone exterior and a black high peaked roof. The entrance way was at the top of a small set of stone steps leading to a recessed door in the centre. On each side of the front door, there was a large bay window.

The flat windows on the second and third floors were smaller than the bay windows on the ground floor. They were flush with the exterior wall and placed directly above the ground floor windows, giving the house its symmetrical appearance. Right at the peak of the roof, centred directly over the door, was a small round window in what could only be an attic. It was a narrow house, but it appeared to be twice as deep as it was wide.

Harry was relieved to see it wasn't a 'frilly' looking house painted yellow or purple or some other pastel colour. This was a very nice conservative home, both affluent and well maintained. The close proximity to the neighbours was a little disconcerting, but this was the norm in the nicer sections of Hogsmeade.

As he approached, he felt the wards. They were even stronger than her retail space. He took a moment to appraise them in depth. These were extremely aggressive wards and tied into a single strong ley line. Of course, this close to Hogwarts, that was to be expected. At least three ward stones… These wards were not set by an amateur. Madam McKinnon apparently valued her privacy.

He had no difficulty entering as he'd been keyed in, but it still felt like he was walking through a thick curtain. He pulled out his key and unlocked the thick oak door. It opened smoothly, but with a loud creak. It was too loud for such a smooth opening door. With a casual inspection, he noted that the hinges were enchanted to amplify and project the noise. Harry chuckled remembering how Molly Weasley had done the same with one of the steps in the burrow.

The scent of stale potpourri and dust was in the air. The house hadn't been touched for some time. Unlike the retail space, no one had prepared it for inactivity. He walked in and noted the living area had tasteful furniture that was very nice and well maintained. It was the kind of furniture someone would have if they had a century to accumulate exactly what they wanted. There were a few floral patterns on the chairs, but not as many as he would have expected. It was predominantly earth tones.

The house had a warm feel to it. It was nice.

Walking into a small nook off the kitchen, Harry noted two delicate teacups. Why were there two? Had someone else been here? One of the teacups had the faint tinge of lipstick. The other still had a small amount of very old tea in it. This would take some scrubbing.

Harry checked the time and realised he'd have to hurry if he wanted to finish his 'walk-through'. Given the aggressive nature of the external wards, he knew better than to rush this. The cardinal rule among Curse-breakers was to never work alone. Maybe the house was clear, maybe it wasn't. When Madam McKinnon last left, she intended to return. Any protections or curses that she had left would still be active.

With hesitancy, Harry focused on the Resurrection Stone set in his ring. He could summon the dead with a simple ritual, but the stone made it much easier. Most often, spirits would answer the summons to interact with the living. Sometimes, they would try to negotiate favours. Usually, they would just come out of curiosity. The worst spirits would answer to escape whatever torments the afterlife held. It was the spirit that was truly at rest or unwilling that would never appear.

Harry turned the ring three times while thinking of Madam McKinnon. Within three seconds he felt her presence. The air suddenly had a floral scent to it. Vaguely, he was reminded of her perfume. A second or two later, her translucent form appeared to him. Penelope McKinnon looked younger and more vital. In death, spirits tended to appear the way they view themselves. Her gaze was intense and the corners of her mouth were set in a soft smile.

"Hello, Harry. You look well."

"Hello, Madam McKinnon. It's good to see you."

The spirit looked about. "I see you've come to my home." After a slight pause, she said, "Your home now." Her pride was apparent.

"Thank you for your generosity." It was all he could think to say.

"Harry Potter, this is the least I could do. You avenged the entire McKinnon family when you stopped that mad man." She tilted her head and focused on him once more. "What can I do for you?"

"I'd like to know if there are any curses or protections I should be aware of before moving in." Would he move in? "I have a toddler in my care and he tends to get into everything."

"Ah, children. Yes, they can be a handful." She grimaced a little as she said this. Clearly, she did not like children. "You'll find the library is heavily warded and there is a small vault in the basement, also warded. The long rug in the upstairs hallway will animate and attack any who are not keyed into the wards."

"That's very helpful." He felt like he owed her more. "Is there anything you'd like me to do or any message you'd like to pass on to anyone?" Most spirits who passed on unexpectedly want to say goodbye to someone.

"That's very kind of you, Harry. You are so much like your mother. I was always so very fond of her." She gazed off a moment, then said, "I remember hiring Lily to help out in the store from time to time. When school permitted it, of course. Like me, she truly loved books."

"Thank you. Not many women of your position would have been so kind to a Muggle-born."

The spirit then laughed and shook her head. "Muggle-born? Certainly not! Lily Evans did not have mixed blood." She looked as if she had smelled something rotten. There was no mistaking her disdain.

"My mother was a Muggle-born, Madam McKinnon." Harry tried not to sound irritated, but it was hard. She'd never shown any signs of blood prejudice when she was alive.

The spirit had a knowing smile. "Not with those eyes she wasn't. No sir." She peered closer. "Eyes so much like… your own."

Harry wasn't sure how to respond. He stood silently wondering how to politely dismiss her. He really didn't want to hear any of this.

She picked up on his discomfort and her smile softened. "Oh, please, I don't hold it against those of Muggle heritage or Mixed-blood. It's just the rotten hand they were dealt. Poor things." Standing taller, she said, "Believe me when I say, I don't believe in Muggle persecution. I just don't think we should mix."

Harry fidgeted as he tried to think of an appropriate response.

She continued. "It must be hard on the children. The Mixed-bloods. And then there's the Squib factor that causes so much pain in our world." She moved slightly closer. "Mixing with Muggles brings pain and loss. Mark my words, Harry. I lived over two hundred years, I know what I'm talking about."

Harry was almost afraid to ask, "What's a Mixed-blood?"

"The term 'Mixed-blood' is a description of someone whose blood has been mixed with Muggles or non-humans. It's an old term, now out of favour, I suppose." She scoffed, "It's infinitely better than that vulgar term so many use… Mudblood."

"I guess it sounds better." But was it really?

She hesitated, then said, "I know my perspective is far from modern. You can choose to agree with me, disagree with me, or just put it out of your mind. Just know that my beliefs are based on personal observations over a very, very long life." she smiled and tilted her head in a gesture that made her look grandmotherly.

Harry had heard enough. "Well, thank you for the Alaric Grimoires. They made a huge difference."

"Yes… You probably know by now that you descend from the Alaric Family. They all rightfully belonged to you."

"What? I had no idea." How did others know so much about his family tree? "Can you tell me about them? About my connection?"

Her lips pursed and she shook her head softly. "I… it's not my place. Some knowledge is best learned the old-fashioned way." Then her eyes seemed to light up. "Think of it as a grand scavenger hunt. A puzzle to decipher. I promise you will be enlightened by what you find."

Why the hell won't she tell me? "I see."

Harry nodded. The conversation was almost over, they could both feel the draw Madam McKinnon must be feeling to the afterlife.

The spirit began to fade. "I hope you will live here in my home. Be wed and have a family. Raise happy children with… Miss Weasley was it? Such a powerful young witch."

Harry said, "I'm actually seeing someone else now. Miss Greengrass."

"Ahhh. Greengrass. A good English family, I believe they originated in… Portugal. Their family was a union of a Portuguese explorer and a Selwyn." She was still slowly fading. "A good English family. No Muggles in the family tree to the best of my recollection, but watch out for that Malediction. It tends to thin out the witches in their line."

"Thank you for… being there for me, Madam McKinnon." He almost let her fade without saying anything, but he felt indebted. "Rest in Peace."

Her voice was now a barely heard whisper. "You are very welcome and I intend to rest well. Our time is now at its end. Be happy. Be bold. Be a visionary. Goodbye Harry Potter."

And she was gone.

That was some weird shite.

After an awkward moment, he called Pipsey and asked her to clean the home and prepare it for habitation. He made a point to warn her to avoid the curses the spirit had warned him about. This was a nice home and, despite Madam McKinnon's unexpected beliefs, the house was nice. Realizing the time, he rushed out and prepared apparate to the nearest 'Floo' station.

He was running very late in picking up Teddy.

—CS—

Carkitt Market

12:30 PM Friday

October 5, 2001

Harry sheepishly entered Dr. Gaines office. Being an hour late usually didn't go very well. His unusual chat with Penelope McKinnon's spirit had thrown him. He was greeted to the site of Teddy and Dr. Gaines feasting on Chinese delivery.

Teddy had a plate of sweet and sour pork in front of him and all over his face. His hair seemed to have settled on a blueish black. Dr. Gaines was casually dressed in a simple blouse and jeans. At somewhere around fifty, she was unusually spry. She always dressed for comfort and never let a few extra pounds bother her. She had some kind of Lo Mein in front of her and was using chopsticks. There were a few other containers on her desk.

Teddy waved. "Daddy!"

"Hi-ya sport!" Harry grinned at his son, then turned to Dr. Gaines. "Sorry I'm late Dr. Gaines."

"No worries, I bill by the hour." Her eyes were smiling more than her mouth. "Besides, it gave me time to connect more with Teddy." Teddy looked up at her for a moment, smiled, then went back to his food.

Harry asked, "What-cha eating Teddy?"

Teddy speared a piece of fried pork. "Chinese food! I had my fortune told!" He emphatically pointed to a stack of fortune cookie notes.

Dr. Gaines motioned toward a chair. "Pull up and dig in. We've got Beef Lo Mein, Sweet and Sour Pork, Szechuan Beef, and all the rice and noodles you can eat."

Dr. Gaines handed him a disposable plate and fork. There were so few people in their world willing to eat Muggle food. Being a Squib let her effortlessly move between the Magical and the mundane world. She was one of the coolest women he'd ever met, and one of the few people he completely trusted. They had been close for years and now she and Teddy were bonding. He began piling rice and Szechuan Beef onto his plate. He'd give them all a try at some point.

"Thank you so much! I'm famished." After his first bite, he asked, "How did you get delivery to Carkitt Market? Not that I'm complaining…"

"The Three Broomsticks has a service for Muggle deliveries. Not many use it for food." She was using her chopsticks like a pro. "It helps that I tip generously." She gave a wolfish grin at the last comment.

The three of them sat and ate for another hour. They laughed and joked. Teddy showed Harry how to open fortune cookies, devouring the last of the bunch. Apparently, it's important to break them and pull out the paper so you don't eat it. Eventually, Teddy was full, so he went to play with a set of Thomas the Tank Engine tracks in the corner of the office.

Dr. Gaines watched him a moment, then said, "He's doing very well. In time, his experience in France will be forgotten. I'd avoid taking him to the Malfoy Chateaux anytime soon, though."

"Do you think he'll have any problems with my house in Yvoiré?"

"I doubt it. At his age, he won't relate the experience to any region or country."

"That's a relief." He would never forget Teddy's terrified face.

"He just needs to feel safe, and he will recover." She nibbled on a noodle. "Children are resilient that way. It's adults that struggle." She gave Harry a piercing look. "Your godson is not the only one who's been through a lot."

"I'm fine. Honest."

"You are a lousy liar." She set her fork down. "Now, what's bothering you?"

"I lost the incarnations of my parents. It's like moving away from home, but knowing you can never go back. Both of my parents are at peace, so summoning them would be cruel. Assuming they even answered." He knew they would.

Don't you have other influences in your dreamscape?

I have Oakheart. He's very calming. When I connect to him, it brings a sense of peace and… I can't describe it." Harry shifted in his chair. "But at the end of the month, he goes into assort of hibernation, and Rose takes over. She's the more aggressive presence."

Harry had spoken to Dr. Gaines about Oakheart and Rose in the past. At one time, she thought he was experiencing Schizophrenia or multiple personalities, or some other diagnosis. Knowing he had Ancient Elder Elemental spirits connected to him wasn't something that could be referenced in a medical journal.

"Maybe she's what you need." Harry looked at her in surprise. "She represents chaos and change. Change can be good."

She had a point. "Right. Honestly, I'm glad to be going back out into the field. I miss traveling and…"

Dr. Gaines' eyes tightened. "And?"

Harry took a deep breath. "And getting away. Just being out in the wild, no responsibilities or dependencies."

"A sort of vacation from being an adult, perhaps?"

"Ouch." He made an exaggerated wince. "When you put it like that…"

She laughed a bit. "Your vacation wasn't much of a vacation. It's only natural you'd want to get away for a while." She then asked, "How about the lawsuits? October 31 is right around the corner."

Harry rolled his eyes in annoyance. "Oh, I wrote the attorneys this morning, extend the deadline to November 15 for the meetings with the families suing me. Arranging the trip to South America has taken longer than originally expected. Having to work through Hogwarts pushed me back at least a week."

"Understandable." She tapped her temple with her index finger a moment. "How was the Greengrass Equinox party?"

Harry snorted. "Wow. Let's just say I still have a little social anxiety. The party was rough and I was on edge most of the night." When Dr. Gaines didn't say anything, he continued. "I just hate crowds and having people all around me. Distracting me."

"You've always hated crowds."

"This is where you tell me I need to learn how to trust, right?"

Dr. Gains shook her head slightly. "No, Harry. In your position, you need to learn how to keep your guard up, while appearing relaxed." She reached out and grasped his hand. "I'm sorry to say that trust is a luxury you cannot afford."

Harry had heard that before. "I had a friend tell me the exact same thing."

Dr. Gaines nodded with a knowing smile. "Your friend is both pragmatic and wise. Miss Greengrass I assume?"

"No. Madame Pompadour." Seeing the surprise on Dr. Gaines face, he said, "I summon her for party advice."

"I see. Well, just like Madame Pompadour, you also need to enjoy life."

Harry sat back and considered that. While history couldn't prove she was an assassin, everyone knew Madame Pompadour loved a good party. Unlike him, she was a social butterfly.

"Andromeda tells me the same thing." He then added, "I don't know how to be happy and trust no one."

"Nothing is an absolute, and absolutes never hold up." She looked over at Teddy for a moment, then back at him. "Let's just say, never trust blindly. What else is bothering you? Come on, I'm may be off the clock, but I can always tell."

Harry ran his hand through his hair. "I still struggle around people I had… difficulty with at Hogwarts. The Headmaster, specifically. Headmistress. We met and I was a bit… I don't know. Surly? Easily Irritated? I'm going to be working with her in less than a year."

Dr. Gaines knew about their previous interactions. "Did you lash out or say anything you regret?"

Harry remembered mocking her later. "No, but I vented a bit later."

Dr. Gaines shrugged. "Venting is normal, just be mindful of the audience." She smiled in a way that was almost a smirk. "You're growing up, Harry. You have a great many adult responsibilities."

"That's for sure."

"Your new challenge will be redefining your challenging relationships to align with your new position. If you approach these interactions as a fresh start, you may be surprised at the benefits."

Harry shrugged one shoulder. "Right, time to grow up."

"There are worse things, you know." Dr. Gaines had a way of cutting through the Dragon dung.

"Very true." Enough of that. "Alright, I think it's time to pay a visit to Fortescue's. Are you up for a little ice cream?"

Dr. Gaines laughed and shook her head. "Not today. Mixing ice cream and Chinese… not really my thing."

They said their goodbyes and Harry helped Teddy clean up and put away the trains he'd been playing with. The boy was ready for more sugar!

—CS—

Diagon Alley

Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Shop

~ 3:00 PM Friday

October 5 2001

Florian Fortescue's was an ice cream parlour on the north side of Diagon Alley. Inside, it smelled like ice cream and cake frosting. The lights were all bright and the walls were a soft butter cream colour. One large counter ran across the left side wall, boasting dozens of ice cream flavours. There were eight tables inside with another three outside. All were finished in light oak with chairs that had pastel coloured cushioning.

The furniture was all new and the shop was far more appealing than the way it had looked a month ago. The parlour had a steady stream of customers and the till was constantly ringing. This was a welcome change as the store was almost insolvent until recently. Harry had been helping the Fortescue family recover financially as they'd come upon hard times during and after the war.

At one table in the corner sat Harry and Teddy. Harry was drinking a cup of coffee while Teddy was both colouring and devouring a massive multi-flavour ice cream sundae. By Harry's reckoning, the child was wearing about three hundred calories on his face alone. Andromeda, Daphne, and the girls would be back Monday, so they were making the most of their 'Boys Only' weekend together.

Harry had just picked Teddy up from his therapy session and was treating him to his favourite dessert. Teddy seemed to like Dr. Gaines, and she certainly favoured him as well. Very fortunate, considering how late he had been picking his godson up. Harry quietly sipped his coffee while watching with amusement as the child coloured. Teddy was fully focused on a colouring book, scribbling with his right hand while spooning ice cream into his mouth with his left hand. His hair changing to match each crayon he picked up.

A young girl, about seven or eight began walking toward them with something in her hands. She was wearing purple robes and had her brown hair pulled back in a ponytail. She was walking slowly and looking at the ground more than she was looking up at Harry. Harry knew the look and pulled a Muggle ink pen from his pocket.

Looking at the girl, he said, "Hello, there. Can I help you?"

She held out a chocolate frog card with his image on it. "Can you sign this, please?" Her eyes were fixed on her shoes.

Harry peered intently at the card for a moment. It was normal. He'd never forgotten Billy Corbin and his disguised portkey back when he was taking his OWLs. Never again!

"I'd be glad to." He took the card and set it on the table after finding a dry spot. "What's your name?"

The little girl looked up, showing eager hazel eyes. "Amy." She began chewing her lower lip as her hands fidgeted about.

"Alright, let's see…" Harry smiled at the girl, relieving her tension. "Hi Amy, stay sweet… Harry Potter."

He handed the card back to her. "Thank you!" She looked at it and beamed with excitement as she ran off.

Teddy then looked up from his book and yelled, "Gin-Gin!" His ice cream covered finger pointing to the entrance.

Harry turned to the entrance and felt his heart skip a beat. Standing in the doorway was Ginny. She looked good. Her red hair was thrown back over her shoulders and she had on the same MPV jacket she'd worn the last time he'd seen her. She looked wild and carefree, like a force of nature. Distressed blue jeans and the 'Doc Martin' boots they had bought together on a shopping trip.

She was grinning at them both and came strolling toward the table. Harry felt a lump rising in his throat as he stood to greet her. He forced a smile and prepared himself for a potentially awkward conversation. Teddy ran up to her and hugged her, transferring much of the ice cream he was wearing to her. She picked him up and stood there tickling the little boy into hysterics.

If she was upset, it didn't show. "Hi, Harry." Teddy was recovering from the tickling attack and was looking at his sundae.

"Ginny. It's good to see you." That felt awkward. He never went to the game she sent him tickets for… "I'm sorry I didn't make the game. The one you sent the tickets for."

She gave him a smirk, "I read the papers Harry. You saved a lot of lives in France."

"Yeah, it was pretty messed up. Typical day at the office." Harry realised they were just standing there. "Would you like to join us?"

"I'd love to!" Her eyes crinkled as she smiled, her freckles stretching over her nose and cheeks.

She sat Teddy down, then plopped into a chair before Harry could pull it out for her. Teddy went back to his colouring and ice cream.

"So, how's the tour treating you?" This felt so awkward. Why was she so relaxed?

"I can't complain. We're on a winning streak and I keep getting this amazing jacket." She grinned with pride. "Professional quidditch is everything I always thought it would be. Bright lights, action, the thrill of victory, it's all there."

"I'm glad it's worked out so well for you." Say more… "You always were the best flier on the team."

"You always gave me a run for the money, hot-shot." She settled back and waved her wand to remove the worst of the ice cream stains Teddy had 'given' her. "Where's Andi?"

"Fashion week in Paris." He shrugged and said, "You'd think we'd all had enough of France."

"So it's just you and Teddy?" Her smile now looked less like a smirk and more sincere.

"Yep. A week of male bonding!" Harry smiled at his godson. "We're living on pizza, Chinese, candy, and ice cream."

Teddy looked up and said, "And pancakes!" Ice cream dripping from his chin.

"Yep." Harry ruffled his godson's blue hair. "Pancakes. Blueberry pancakes every morning."

Ginny laughed. "Oh, my! You like blueberries, huh?"

Teddy nodded and went back to colouring, his hair shifting to a vibrant green as he focused on colouring in grass.

The same young girl he'd given his autograph to earlier was back inside, but now she was now focused on Ginny.

Harry said, "Hi Amy. Are you looking for another autograph?" The girl was so excited Harry was afraid she'd break out in dance.

"Yes please! Miss Spitfire, will you sign my Quidditch card." She handed the card to Ginny. "I want to be a Harpy too! I saw you play the Falcons! My daddy took me. You scored ninety points!"

Ginny winced slightly at being called Miss Spitfire. "Can do, Amy. Now, what to write…?" Ginny had a small quill she'd pulled from the inside pocket of her jacket. "Never… stop… chasing… your dreams! Ginny 'Spitfire' Weasley."

She then pulled a few trinkets from her other pocket. A shirt pin, a sticker, a few other odds and ends. She placed them under the Quidditch card. "Hey, Amy… How about I give you these 'collectibles'?"

Amy squealed with delight. "Thank you!"

Ginny gave her the content of her pocket. "Alright! I hope to see you at a few Harpy games soon."

The girl nodded and ran out the door. She turned before leaving and waved. She seemed to look at them both a moment too long, then giggled. Amy was met by a group of young girls clustering the door and staring into the parlour. Hopefully there wouldn't be any gossip. He and Daphne were still pretty new to each other.

Turning to Ginny, he said, "Congratulations. You are now more popular than I ever was."

Harry realised he would have to call Daphne and warn her. The media would almost certainly find out about this meeting.

Harry worked up the courage and asked, "So, did you get my letter?" He nervously ran a hand through his hair. "Is everything alright between us? You know, as friends?"

Ginny's smile faded into a slight frown. "I won't lie, it's been tough. Especially seeing you with Greengrass." She cracked the first two knuckles of her right hand. "I'm glad you're moving on and… I do want you to be happy."

"I didn't plan it." Harry glanced at the group of young girls and was glad to see they had moved on. "I hope you're not mad."

"No. It stings a bit, but I know we made the right decision."

Harry nodded. He stopped himself from reminding her it wasn't his decision.

She made a clicking sound with her mouth. "You're protecting the world and being an ever-so-proper Wizengamot Lord." Her shoulders briefly rose and fell in a tiny shrug. "Meanwhile, I'm living the Quidditch dream. Playing for the team I've always loved."

Harry put his hand on top of hers. "And inspiring the next generation of witches. Look at Amy." He gave her hand a slight squeeze and withdrew it.

She lightly punched his shoulder "That's right, Potter! I'm an inspiration." She took a breath and changed the subject. "Did you know Andi wants to sponsor me?"

"Yeah, she mentioned it. I think it's a great idea."

"Hey, without sponsors, we don't exactly get rich." She reached over and wiped Teddy's face. "I've picked up a few others too. Andi wants me to be a spokesperson for advocating Witches rights and equality."

"You really do inspire, Ginny." This was getting a little too personal. "So, how many times have you won the MVP jacket?"

She grinned mischievously. "Three out of the last four games. Hey, the jacket suits me. This is shaping up to be a great season." After a moment of silence, she said, "I'm not the only one moving up in the world. I heard about the new title, 'Mr. Slytherin', And the teaching gig. You're in a position to really change things, Harry. To make a difference in our society."

"I'm trying, Ginny. I still have a lot to learn." He sipped his now only slightly warm coffee. "It'd be a lot easier if I could just duel to fix all the issues."

"That'd be too easy." Her brows came together and she straightened up. "I miss you Harry, but I meant what I said in August. Our paths may cross again one day, but this isn't the right time for either of us." Sher winced, looking like she'd bitten her tongue. "I'm glad you're not… you know."

"Yeah." He didn't have a clue what she meant, but he didn't want to have this conversation again. They'd both moved on.

Ginny suddenly perked up. "Oh – Katie says hello!"

"Katie?" That was unexpected.

"Yeah, she always says, 'If you see Harry, tell him I said Hi!' Message delivered."

Harry smiled thinking about his 'big sister' on the Quidditch team. "Send her my best. Fay also."

"Will do." She snapped her fingers. "Did you know Fay quit the Harpies and signed up with the Aurors?"

"I did not know that." Had she talked about being an Auror back in school? "Good for her!"

"Yeah, it's what she really wanted. She probably just needed a break after the war."

Harry nodded. They all needed a break. "Do you plan on finding a new flat-mate?"

"Nah, Katie and I can afford the rent without her. Honestly, we spotted her a few times just to help her make ends meet. She never really… took to professional Quidditch."

Harry knew how generous Ginny could be. Her whole family had been 'financially challenged' at one time.

"Word to the wise, don't tell your mum." He smirked playfully at her. "She may move in."

Ginny punched him again, harder than before. "No! Oh sweet Maeve, don't even go there!" She laughed a little herself. "She's definitely got the empty nest syndrome. I mean, I appreciate the food and stuff, but I wouldn't want to live with my mum, you know?" Realizing what she said, she faltered a moment.

Harry picked up on her gaff and let her off the hook. "Yeah. Andromeda is moving back to Grimmauld Place. It seems like the right thing to do, but I'm considering my other options." He did miss interacting with his incarnations. But that was never quite the same as the real thing. Or maybe it was, how would he know?

Ginny tilted her head and grinned. "Hey, Andi's pretty amazing. But I get it." She then stood up and stole a spoonful of Teddy's ice cream while he was focused on his colouring. "Alright – I'm off."

Teddy looked up. "Did you steal my ice cream?" He didn't look amused.

In response, she bent over and kissed the top of his head. "You got more than you can eat Teddy-bear!" She gave Harry a brief hug and a kiss on the cheek. "I'll see you around… Boxing day, right?"

Harry's mouth hung open a moment. "Right." Shite! Forgot about that. "If you'd like me to skip, I can."

Ginny flinched slightly, then smiled. "Skip? No way. You and Andi are like family. It won't be the same without either of you." She ruffled Teddy's yellow hair. "You too, pancake boy!"

"Blueberries! Blueberry pancakes!" His hair shifted to a dark blue as he smiled up at her.

Ginny looked at Harry and paused a moment, her smile fading. "Do me one favour, though… If you bring a date, give me a heads up." She screwed up her mouth slightly. "Just because we aren't, you know, together anymore doesn't mean I want to see you with someone else. You know?"

"Of course." She was being very reasonable. "Thanks Ginny. That really means a lot."

Ginny gave a small smirk and said, "Alright, no more delays." She zipped up her jacket and raised the collar, effortlessly looks cool doing it. "See you guys later. Enjoy your wild weekend without the girls!"

"Thanks for stopping by, Gin." They locked eyes for a moment neither spoke. "It's been nice. You know… catching up."

She hesitated a moment and looked oddly confused. Her hand seemed to quiver a moment and her eyes lost focus. A moment later, she shook off whatever was distracting her. "Cheerio and 'knees up' boys." Her grin was back as she turned away.

Teddy waved emphatically. "Bye-bye, Gin-gin!"

Harry said, "Goodbye Ginny." He thought, I hope you get everything you want in life. As a slightly melancholic relief seemed to wash over him, he wondered, is this what closure feels like?

—CS—

The next chapter takes us to South America!